W9r3 Completed- Thanks to Everyone in This Forum for All Your Help, Guidance and Plain Inspiration!

[Oldishrunner]

After a difficult W9r2 I listened to the advice and just concentrated on the 30 minutes of running without worrying about distance. Guess what, it was lovely sunny day again together with blue skies and the run was a pleasure once I got into my stride. Not only that, but although I did enough variations on a traditional route not to be able to estimate an accurate distance run, I still knew that I had covered more than 4 km. Was it a consequence of listening for the last time to the lovely Laura, and the accompanying music, in this superbly designed program to get you running for 30 minutes? We shall see as I will be trying the consolidation runs without headphones having bought a runner’s watch on eBay.

So this is the end of one journey and the start of another as I aim to do a park run without stopping, and hopefully less than 30 minutes. So thanks to everybody who urged me on and to those who just posted on the forum- you do not know how much you contributed to today's achievement. To those on the journey keep it up, it can be done.

[Tartancat Graduate]

Well done Oldishrunner- now the fun begins!

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Too true. Looking forward to doing a Park Run. Thanks

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Excellent work 🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️ So proud of you x

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thanks BK. You don't know Just how proud I feel.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Oldishrunner]

And so you should ! Massive congratulations x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

This guide to post C25K running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks. I have had a quick look at the link and there seems to be a lot of good advice. Hoping to do a Park Run in the New Year with consolidation runs till then. I shan't be disappearing.

[Shelley2310 Graduate]

Well done 🎉🥇😊

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to Shelley2310]

Thank you. Looking forward to seeing 'Graduate' next to my moniker!

[pottsie1972]

Well done buddy. Outstanding work

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to pottsie1972]

Thanks. As you probably know too, it is hard times but well worth it

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations! You’ve also inspired may readers on your journey, there’s a lot of people that have watched you do this and thought that maybe they can too. I love the attitude that this is just the beginning... take a bit of time consolidating your level (advisable every few months of your running) and find that next start line. Celebrate well first, you deserve it.

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks. I certainly shan't be stopping. I do not always enjoy the run itself, but that is mostly confined to the first 5 min or so except on occasions such as W9r2. Although even then I was pleased with myself at finishing the challenge.

[Sybilw Graduate]

I knew you’d do it! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Hope you continue on this journey - it’s a bit scary out there without your coach but as we all said before “you can do it!” Now this is your plan so do with it what you will. Congratulations.

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to Sybilw]

Thanks. Aiming for a park run once i can do the 5K in 30 mins

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to Oldishrunner]

If I wait for that I’ll never do one!! I’ve done 3 so far - you can start now and just watch your times drop as you improve. Just go for it!!

[Deals1 Graduate]

Congratulations!!! 😁🎉🏅🏃👍

Graduating before Christmas is great!

Happy running and enjoy your first parkrun. Bewarned u may get hooked 😂😁

[Andy14st9lbs Graduate]

Very well done, Oldishrunner...you can now bask in the glory of graduation.

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to Andy14st9lbs]

And polish the medal at the same time.

[Hokitika Graduate]

Congratulations on graduation, happy running!

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to Hokitika]

Thanks, much appreciated.

[Katnap Graduate]

Well done Oldishrunner! 😸

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to Katnap]

Thanks. Now for the consolidation runs- aiming for a park run once I get closer to 5k in the 30 mins.

[Katnap Graduate in reply to Oldishrunner]

Some parkrunners take over 50 minutes. Give it a go anyway! 😸

[Irish-John Graduate]

Well done Graduate! ☺

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

That title sounds (looks) really great. Thanks

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Oldishrunner]

It is great and you earned it

[kwell39 Graduate]

Way to go and congratulations!! Enjoy your celebrations on a job well done! 👏🏻👏🏻🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to kwell39]

Thanks for that.

[MelsieJay Graduate]

Hey that’s fabulous. I remember the feeling when I did it in the summer. Felt invincible. It’s just such an achievement isn’t it. Very well done x

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to MelsieJay]

Thanks. Aah the summer- can't wait.

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Oldishrunner]

Same. I have lost all my confidence since the leg break and scared of running outside this time of year. The gym is so boring and I am stuck after w6. All strength and stamina has gone on holiday and left me behind so I’m just doing little runs and waiting for it to come back

[Oldishrunner Graduate in reply to MelsieJay]

How did you do that? I’m fortunate that being retired I can run in the daylight so kerbs and potholes can be seen. How about venturing out on a weekend day? I’ll wave as we pass.